FROM THE CAPITOL: state gov't accountability; DOD budget

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Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA

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Posted Dec. 24, 2012 at 10:00 AM

Posted Dec. 24, 2012 at 10:00 AM

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

- Working to make government more accountable to the citizens of Pennsylvania, the new PennWATCH (Pennsylvania Web Accountability, Transparency and Contract Hub) website was officially launched last week, according to Rep. Todd Rock, a Republican who represents Franklin County.

Established by the House Republican-sponsored Act 18 of 2011, PennWATCH will have all department and agency expenditures available online; performance measures; agency websites; employee data; and compensation information.

The website can be accessed at: http://www.pennwatch.pa.gov

- Anti-scam legislation will be reintroduced soon after the new session begins to give senior citizens additional time to rescind purchases made as a result of a home or phone solicitation. The measure would increase the current three-day, right-of-cancellation period to 15 days for a person who is age 65 or older if the purchase is in excess of $25 and is the result of a door-to-door or telephone home solicitation.

- Tax benefits are available to Pennsylvania residents who open or contribute to a Pennsylvania 529 College Savings Program. Contributions made by Dec. 31 can help reduce the tax burden on returns filed next spring. The $50 enrollment fee will be waived for all new accounts opened by Dec. 31 through the 529 website. Use the code TAXSMART when prompted. For more information on the PA 529 College Savings Program or to enroll, visit RepRock.com. LINK: http://www.pa529.com.

U.S. House of Representatives

The House of Representatives last week passed legislation to authorize Department of Defense spending for 2013. Congressman Bill Shuster, a Republican who represents Franklin County, was involved in the bipartisan effort.

"In a time of economic uncertainty, it's imperative to ensure fiscal sanity in a defense budget while maintaining a strong and capable military," said Shuster. "A primary constitutional obligation for Congress is to provide for the common defense of our nation, and this critical piece of legislation will accomplish that."

As chairman of the panel on business challenges in the defense industry, Shuster was responsible for producing an entire section of legislation in this year's NDAA. The panel identified barriers for small businesses and the legislation will implement changes to the federal acquisitions system. The final report will help cut through the red tape and bureaucracy that get in the way of innovation, efficiency and job creation, and will allow small businesses better access for doing business with DoD, according to Shuster.

"Small businesses drive this economy and provide innovation and cost savings to the Department of Defense. Encouraging businesses of all sizes to compete in the defense industry allows for the best final products for our warfighters," said Shuster.

The next step the legislation to be voted on by the Senate and then signed into law by the president.